The varsity Lady Bruin volleyball team and head coach Vanessa Nidiffer hosted the 5-4 St. Mary’s Lady Crusaders Thursday evening in a match-up that highlighted aggressive play at the net and the back-court play of the Lady Bruins.
In the first set of action, the Lady Bruins fell behind early as the Lady Crusaders dominated play early, however, the back court of the Lady Bruins stepped up to the challenge, putting the Lady Bruins in a position to take the first set.
Two Lady Bruins kept the St. Mary’s off balance, returning the Lady Crusader attack from the net, and setting up a roaring comeback late in set to give the Lady Bruins the first set win.
A shocked Lady Crusader team came out in the second set determined to establish dominance at the net, taking the second set decisively, to tie the match at 1-1.
Even though the Lady Bruins combined for 81 digs as a team on the night, the Lady Crusader strength at the net was too powerful, and despite the brave front line play by the Lady Bruins at the net, the Lady Crusaders would go on to take the match win.
Coach Nidiffer told the Compass after the match “The girls played hard, we came back from behind to beat them the 1st set 25-23, which is probably the best set I’ve seen the team play this season and I was proud of their defense.”
The Lady Bruins will finish the season next Tuesday on the road, traveling to Sutherlin to challenge the 8-1 Lady Bulldogs Tuesday evening at 6:00pm.
